CIO Diane Schwarz on the power of professional ecosystems

Schwarz and Sankaran work in lockstep in the digital landscape but manage different aspects of the 360-degree relationship with tech suppliers. While Schwarz assesses suppliers in terms of consumption, budget, and their impact on internal stakeholder experiences, Sankaran evaluates impacts on the capabilities that enable Johnson Controls’ OpenBlue suite of technology solutions. Perspectives on go-to-market or customer views require gathering input from the chief commercial officer or the president of a business unit. In each case, the point is clear: Your strategic decisions are only as cohesive as your internal ecosystem.

When it comes to cultivating external peer relationships, Schwarz emphasized the importance of a group founded by happenstance at a 2016 executive women’s dinner in Dallas. “We realized the potential of how powerful our voices could be together.” With that, T200 was founded with the mission to foster, celebrate, and advance women’s leadership in tech. Seven years and 245 members later, the percentage of female CIOs in the F500 is climbing, and every member has a peer network of digital and technology executives standing by for questions, talent referrals, and coaching conversations. “We have each other’s backs, and we actively advocate for each other.”

Be authentic to your brand

If you’re ambitious enough to become a person of influence in your ecosystem, it’s likely that others are doing their homework on you. Recruiters, prospective employees and employers, and many others could be researching you at any time. What they learn may determine what happens next. “Make sure your brand is authentic to how you operate,” says Schwarz.

What might others say about you based on your physical and digital interactions? What conclusions might one draw from your social media presence? Ask yourself these questions and make sure you like the answers. This narrative reflects the brand you aspire to project in your ecosystem. Also important, Schwarz notes: “Never burn a bridge, because you’re sure to cross paths multiple times in the future.” 

In Getting to Nimble: How to Transform Your Company into a Digital Leader, Peter High posits that CIOs should seek inspiration from five sources: customers, peers, venture capitalists, executive recruiters, and external partners. Diane’s ecosystem reflects this and is living proof that a thriving ecosystem will not only get you there but also provide a platform for future growth, no matter how the CIO role evolves. “We have to be self-aware and willing to ask for help.”